Single mother Liane Pibworth told how her flat was so cold this winter that her two children huddled in a single bed with her to keep warm.
The property in Camden is run by a private landlord used by Hammersmith & Fulham council. Ms Pibworth was sent to the tower block by the council after being shunted around 12 temporary properties in one year, including hostels and bed and breakfasts across London.
Their constant moving has made it hard to find a school place for Honey, 13, or a nursery spot for Evangeline, three, and Ms Pibworth, 36, had to postpone starting a speech and language therapy course.
She said the problems with the £350-a-week flat included a mice infestation, an exploding lightbulb, broken windows, no heating, and a flood in the kitchen.
Hammersmith-born Ms Pibworth said: “It’s been hell, we had a flood in the kitchen that went on for three weeks over Christmas.
“We’ve lived here for 10 months with no heating, we froze all winter long with broken windows that didn’t close.
“It meant we are all trying to huddle into one single bed to keep warm together, you feel very unsafe and insecure and vulnerable.
“When my daughter flipped a light switch, the bulb exploded and I was picking out shards of glass from her head.”
A Hammersmith & Fulham council spokesman said: “The managing agent has responded to all requests for work or repair from Ms Pibworth.
“We will continue to work with her to ensure that suitable accommodation is provided until an offer of social housing is made.”
